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The first things to cross your mind the moment you hear about prasad are ladoos, coconut pieces and boondi and we do not blame you. Being a country with a majority of theist population, India has a temple in every other street. A devout Hindu doesn’t only believe in God but also in offering the deities food articles or ‘prasad’. Usually, a prasad is either a fruit or a dessert, keeping the “mist be vegetarian” fact constant. From boondi to halwa and khichdi to ladoos, every temple has a different prasad to offer to the deities and devotees. However, do you know that some temples in India serve prasads that are hard to believe? We have curated a list of five religious places in India that serve bizarre prasad as a part of belief and custom. Check them out!
1. Fish And Liquor In Odisha’s Uttershwari Temple
Situated in Jagatsinghpur of Odisha, the Goddess of Uttershwari temple accepts fish and somaras as prasad. Legend has it that a priest name Janardan Pani dreamt of the Goddess’s orders to build a temple where she’ll cure diseases upon being offered fish and liquor. The priest built the temple in Tirtol tehsil and was himself saved by Devi’s prasad when he suffered from seizures inside the temple.
2. Chinese Food In Chinese Kali Temple, Kolkata
Strengthening the bond between Indians and Chinese, this temple is located in the Tangra area, popularly known as Chinatown. The devotees are offered Chinese food like noodles and chop suey as prasad. Located in the heart of Kolkata, this temple is the epitome of communal harmony.
3. Toddy And Fish In Parassinikkadavu Temple, Kannur
With the worship of Muthappan, this temple offers fish, toddy and bottles of liquors to the Lord. The locals believe that the Lord loved savouring fish and toddy; the prasad is also given to dogs as they were the Lord’s pets.
4. Liquor In Khabees Baba Temple, Lucknow
Located in Lucknow, this temple was built in the remembrance of a saint who died while worshipping Lord Shiva. The locals believe that the Baba fulfils their wishes on being offered liquor. The idol has two slits through which the devotees pour the liquor which is then collected and distributed among the devotees as prasad.
5. Rat Saliva In Karni Mata Temple, Bikaner
With approximately 25,000 rats living inside the temple, Karni Mata Temple is popularly known as ‘The Temple Of Rats’. The prasad (milk) distributed to the devotees are first fed to the rats as they believe that the rat saliva brings luck and fulfils the wishes of those who consume it.
Do you still believe that desserts and fruits are the only things offered to the deities? We know you don’t. So, the next time you visit one of these places, don’t forget to pay a visit to these temples to witness these bizarre practices at least once in your life.
